Police investigate whether 3 vehicle shootings Monday are related

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comments from Matt Harshberger, Pittsfield Township public safety director.

Police are investigating three vehicle shootings reported in Washtenaw County Monday evening within 15 minutes of each other. One was on Michigan Avenue in Pittsfield Township east of Saline. The other two were on Austin Road in Bridgewater Township east of Manchester.

Courtesy of Pittsfield Township police

No one was injured in any of the shootings, police said. They are investigating to determine if they are related.

"We do believe they're probably related," said Matt Harshberger, Pittsfield Township public safety director, noting they occurred within a few minutes of each other and within a relatively short distance.

The shooting in Pittsfield Township occurred about 6:15 p.m. when a bullet struck the driver’s side door of a westbound vehicle on Michigan Avenue east of Industrial Drive. The 72-year-old driver from Pittsfield Township was not injured and reported the incident to Pittsfield Township police.

The other two shootings occurred about 6 p.m. on Austin Road. Police said a wesbound 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by a Manchester man was shot on Austin Road east of Ernst.

The second shooting occurred on Austin Road west of Schneider Road. State police said a westbound 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix was shot on Austin Road west of Schneider Road. The woman who was driving the car is from Adrian, police said.

Initial reports Monday evening indicated a green vehicle might have been involved in the shootings.

Anyone with information regarding the incidents is asked to contact the Michigan State Police Brighton Post at 810-227-1051 or the Pittsfield Township Police Department at 734-822-4911 or the confidential tip line at 734-822-4958.

"Even if it’s the smallest potential thing we will follow up on it," Harshberger said.

Comments

melsplace41

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 3:37 p.m.

So tired of these nutcases..why are they endangering lives of others..innocent people and
possibly children. We need to get these types off the streets. Whether they want
attention or for whatever reason they would do something so idiotic...we need them locked
up and kept out of society. They need to be dealt with harshly and put away with the rest of
the criminals..never to surface again. The only type of person that would do something like
this is evil and they are the very same people who make the world as scary as it is these days.
I have absolutely no sympathy for people who would go out and purposely try to hurt others for
whatever reason. The only thing they are going to gain is people hating them and wanting to
lock them up for the rest of their lives.

Cindy Heflin

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:49 p.m.

Just a little update: Police investigated an incident in which a vehicle window shattered on I-94 Tuesday night, but determined it wasn't related. Here's the story from Kyle Feldscher:
http://annarbor.com/news/crime/police-rule-shattered-window-in-vehicle-driving-on-i-94-not-related-to-vehicle-shootings/

sayzme

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:27 p.m.

Not to worry....only criminals use guns maliciously

Joslyn at the U

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1:29 p.m.

How dare reality be true haha

Joslyn at the U

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1:01 p.m.

That's right but yet they want to take guns from law abiding citizens so only the criminals have weapons .........very strange thought process

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:13 p.m.

Ahhh, the reductio ad absurdum argument.
Let me see if I can explain the difference.
Motor vehicles are made to transport.
Guns are made to kill.
Over the last 50 years motor vehicles have been more and more safe, with traffic death declining precipitously.
Over the last 50 years the death lobby has resisted consistently any effort that might reduce gun violence.
When a motor vehicle is properly used, someone arrives safely at their destination.
When a gun is used properly, someone is dead.
See the difference?
GN&amp;GL

a2citizen

Thu, Mar 28, 2013 : 11:39 p.m.

Ghost...
&quot;...When a gun is used properly...&quot;
PROPERLY.
Glad you are coming around.

Usual Suspect

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 4:27 p.m.

Ahh, the &quot;Ahh, the...&quot; response.

Joslyn at the U

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1 p.m.

Don't cars statistically kill more people than guns? Oh wait people kill people with guns........not guns kill people. Just sayin

Tru2Blu76

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 5:38 a.m.

Another whacko with a motor vehicle and a gun.
Clearly, automobiles are far too efficient and allow outlaws to range far and wide into remote areas where they misuse also-too-efficient guns to frighten and possibly endanger those who, irresponsibly, own and use motor vehicle and firearms too. As most Ann Arborites attest, just having an SUV parked in one's driveway is proof of malevolent intent and incompetence. Here we have an especially frightening example of unknown subjects misusing both firearms and motor vehicles. It's obvious that government should move quickly and resolutely and start background checks on every licensed driver and firearms owner.
We can only wonder why our Democrat leaders haven't convened a press conference to call for banning motor vehicles and guns. Surely, the President could gather enough families of vehicular and firearms homicide victims for a devastatingly effective televised appeal to rampant emotionalism. It's clearly justified, if it would save just one life!
The wise city of San Francisco has instituted an ordinance mandating anger management classes for anyone who purchases ammunition. Ann Arbor could catch up in Urban Chic Moralism if city council will only mandate the same anger management classes for anyone who buys gasoline. We can't have some people made nervous by such wildly aggressive behavior! We should have mothers with shotguns at every gas station so they could fire two blasts in the air to frighten off gasoline buyers.

15crown00

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 3:54 a.m.

the nut bags are restless.

gladys

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 3 a.m.

Is the other guy who shot at cars locked up or out on bail?

arborarmy

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:34 a.m.

If everyone carried a gun they could fire back. Problem solved.
Right?

Joslyn at the U

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:57 p.m.

You mean the black helicopters don't fly around ann arbor anymore? This is saddening

arborarmy

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 11:05 a.m.

And then there are always the gun nuts who fantasize about black helicopters.

Tru2Blu76

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 3:28 a.m.

Right, but the defenseless pigeons in this town don't want that brought up. They'd rather spout hysterical generalizations aimed at gun owners (forgetting that the &quot;haves&quot; nearly equal the &quot;have nots&quot;).
But to remain factual: the police usually endeavor to get behind the shooter and cut sharply into his rear bumper to throw his vehicle into a spin so's to make it a roadside exchange of fire. Participating in a gun fight while driving is nearly as distracting as texting, you know. ;-)

music to my ear

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1:53 a.m.

Well this is to close to home,and I worry, Now do I duck just to go to the store, I have grandkids that visits me but I will not let them go outside now, and please find who ever is doing this. spring break is coming up soon it is just the most insecure feeling, to who ever is doing this god get a grip. what did us innocent people ever do to you,go get you some help you aint right.please stop.

Joslyn at the U

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:55 p.m.

@music I agree

music to my ear

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:11 a.m.

P.S I AM Grateful no one has been injured .

Brad

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:14 a.m.

I'd rather they spend time figuring out who actually perpetrated the shootings. I believe Captain Obvious has already determined that they are likely related.

Michigan Man

Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 11:22 p.m.

Quality of life in Washtenaw County/Ann Arbor really trending downward these days. Boarded up houses welcome visitors to Ann Arbor from the north, homeless around U of M campus bothering those who are simply trying make a honest living and now multiple gunshots. The old days of crappy streets and pot holes look rather inviting these days.

Dutchy734

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 4:24 a.m.

reminds me of the late 80's.

Paul

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:32 a.m.

Yep, looks like Trickle-down economics didn't work so well after all. Now what ?

cinnabar7071

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:42 a.m.

But we have really nice art.

OLDTIMER3

Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 11:11 p.m.

@ BILLY, No I know better than to carry any gun in the vehicle. It is either in a case locked in the trunk or locked in a case on the floor of the vehicle.

Paul

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:29 a.m.

Doesn't have to be anymore if you have an CCW permit which most anybody with a clean criminal record and some gun class can get.

A2M3

Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 11:09 p.m.

Wonder if he was also an &quot;unemployed geologist&quot; like the I94 shooter?

Joslyn at the U

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:50 p.m.

Another angry white male? White would a white guy be angry? Ah heck who knows. Its sad regardless.
If you're gonna shoot at someone at least pick someone who can shoot back so that it might be somewhat fair ya know

Paul

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:28 a.m.

And had a pretty wife at home to boot.

Paul

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:27 a.m.

With no criminal record

Usual Suspect

Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 10:01 p.m.

Why don't people properly lock up their crazies in a crazy safe?

Mboy

Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 9:35 p.m.

Oh no!

Joslyn at the U

Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 9:18 p.m.

The shooter was either a hack or didn't want to hurt anyone. 3 shots and no kill means the shooter probably is some idiot with mental issues looking for attention

Joslyn at the U

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 12:47 p.m.

Subjects noy funny but the fact is anyone shooting radomly at people needs to be locked up

Paul

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:26 a.m.

ugh, make that confusion, we need edit button here

Paul

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 2:24 a.m.

Billy's got a gun, he's on the run, confession in his mind, blind leads the blind. Other guy has a gun, doing to shoot him down...wait, wrong thread, lol

Brad

Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 1 a.m.

And if he had 3 shots and HAD killed somebody he would be ... some idiot with mental issues.

dancinginmysoul

Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 11:50 p.m.

And your qualifications to make such an outlandish claim would be?

Joslyn at the U

Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 10:54 p.m.

Possibly billy......................I'm just sayin

Billy

Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 10:03 p.m.

You ever try shooting a firearm FROM a moving vehicle before? It's not easy....nor is it very accurate for obvious reasons.
If he &quot;missed&quot; it was because he doesn't have the ability to shoot accurately...one handed...from a moving vehicle.
There is no reason at ALL to assume there is no malicious intent when someone FIRES a gun at another person. It's nothing less than attempted murder...period.

smokeblwr

Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 8:39 p.m.

Great, ANOTHER wacko with a gun is sniping us on the roads. Please let the cops catch him before he hurts or kills somebody!